Pillay‘His message was centered on the knowledge that Jesus is with us, even through the storms of life, even through difficult and trying times. ““We are not alone, we are never alone,” Pillay said. “He is always with us, even when it doesn’t feel like it sometimes.”
And Jesus asks us in the storms of life, “Do you still have faith?”
““Jesus is a man so close to God, so loved by God and so trusting in God that he dispels fear and inspires courage in the face of the forces of nature,” Pillay said. “With and through Jesus, we too can have that kind of faith.”
It’s not primarily a matter of belief, Pillay continued. “No, faith is loving God, trusting God, and believing in God.‘“God’s mercy on our lives and our destinies,” he said. “Despite the suffering, tragedy and death, we thank God‘We treasure the gift of our lives and work tirelessly to protect, support and nurture it.”
There will be rough seas and winds, Pillay continued. “As disciples, we huddle together in the boat, hoping to reach shore, and placing our faith in God rather than the outcome.‘“Musical accompaniment,” he said. “Perhaps that is why the symbol of the ecumenical movement is a ship sailing through the waves, guided by a mast in the shape of a cross, our sails trusting in the wind of God.‘“Spirit of.”
Jesus is in the boat, Pillay said. ““God is with us,” he said. “He is with you now, carrying you through the storm.”
Our faith is not dogmatic or simplistic, Pillay said. ““Our hope is not mere optimism,” he continued. “Christ‘By his victory over death and his continuing presence among us, God‘Compassion. That is the foundation of hope that we can hold within ourselves and offer to the world. It changes everything!”
The times we live in test our faith against the forces of nature, Pillay acknowledged. ““No amount of lengthy words can adequately express the depth and magnitude of the challenge facing humanity today,” he said.
Our faith communities can be carriers of hope and agents of reconciliation, Pillay said. “We go forward to be advocates of justice, peacemakers, counselors of unity and catalysts of creative engagement at all levels,” he said. “This way of life is embodied in the ecumenical “Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation and Unity.”
Read the sermon by the WCC General Secretary at St Peter’s Cathedral, Adelaide
WCC Secretary-General speaks at the 11th Forum of the Australian National Council of Churches (WCC news release, 23 June 2024)
